McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme are officially ending their doughnut menu collaboration. After just over a year of testing and a short-lived rollout, the two fast-food giants confirmed they’ll part ways on July 2, 2025.
The partnership, which first began with a limited trial in 160 McDonald’s locations in Kentucky in 2023, was supposed to expand nationwide by the end of 2026. However, in May 2025, Krispy Kreme paused the rollout, citing cost concerns and declining demand.
In a statement, Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth said, “Ultimately, efforts to bring our costs in line with unit demand were unsuccessful, making the partnership unsustainable for us.” The brand had hoped to gain nationwide visibility through the McDonald’s menu, but logistics and profitability proved to be a roadblock.
McDonald’s responded with its own statement, saying the collaboration delivered a high-quality product but acknowledged the economics didn’t work out for Krispy Kreme. “This needed to be a profitable business model for Krispy Kreme as well,” said Alyssa Buetikofer, McDonald’s USA’s chief marketing and customer experience officer.
Krispy Kreme said it will now focus on more profitable distribution through high-volume retail channels and capital-light international franchise growth. Its products will continue to be available in grocery stores and select retail partners across the U.S.
For McDonald’s, the doughnut menu was never a core part of its business. The fast-food giant called Krispy Kreme a “non-material” contributor to its breakfast offerings, which continue to be a major growth pillar. The chain said it remains committed to expanding its morning menu without the doughnut component.
Both companies expressed appreciation for the collaboration and left the door open for future opportunities. However, as of now, Krispy Kreme doughnuts will no longer be available at McDonald’s locations after July 2.
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